Meet Jonathan Fairchild | Artist, entrepreneur, Producer, LGBTQ activist,

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Fairchild and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well I start out with what am I doing, where, for who, and how can we generate income.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My first business was turning my Green Valley lake Cabin into an AirBNB rental back in 2013. I was one of the first up there, got a foreclosure, and was able to take a small amount of money and turned it into something really special. At the time I was a retired performer and running the nights at a family cafe in Studio City called Jinkys. I used all of my regulars to be my clients, giving them friends and family discounts to help me launch my new business as a cabin rental owner.

From there I was brought back to music and was invited to sing back up on some songs I co wrote in a show with my dear friend Ricky Rebel. Gigs where picking up quickly and it was a big show, so with the help of my boyfriend, now husband, at the time John Ballowe, I then sold the house for almost twice what I paid for it in two years and bought an A class RV. We were able to take the Ricky Rebel show of two singers, a 5 piece band and 4 dancers on the road at a fraction of the cost. John had 30 years of working in film, TV and Theater and was working as a handy man, so acted as bus driver and Roadie. At the time we wouldn’t have been able to work the bus or afford the help so the players involved where key.

After getting off tour I then realized that performing in these festivals was so fun I wanted to bring the same magic to the Valley. I then started the first LGBTQ art and music festival in Studio City, SUN.DAY.LIVE . I knew the owner of a local gay club called Oil Can Harrys, and he allowed me to use the club on an off day when the club was not in operation . I reached out to several artist, who I knew from touring pride shows, and local artist who I knew from running Jinkys for the decade before and brought everyone together. It was a huge success 7 musical artist performed, 10 local artist showed and sold their art and we had a taco truck by a local cater who worked at CBS Radford.

Right now my husband and I are in the process of buying another AirBNB in the San Bernardino Mountains where I will host Sober retreats, spiritual retreats, spa retreats, and mini art festivals. It is going to be a love sanctuary where people can come with friends and family to escape the city and take in the beauty by either renting it out or partaking in one of the many retreats. I plan to eventually host a music and art festival up there.

What I’ve learned and am still learning is to be patient and grateful every second of everyday. It is easy to get caught up with day to day life.

What I do daily as an artistic type is affirmations, vision boards, and journal.

You have to tell the universe what you want, write it everyday. Daily I write a gratitude list to remind myself how lucky I am to be alive, live in a country where I can be free and open about who I am and be Loved and supported by my community. I then write daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals, yearly goals and 5 year goals. I do this for every project that I take on and just in life for my piece of mind and openly share it with the people around me. I have a rule I don’t know you unless I love you, and I know you are only as strong as your weakest player so everyone must be a super star inside and out starting with love and respect.

In my life I have seen a lot of tragedy and have learned that what happened yesterday doesn’t matter and tomorrow isn’t promised, make the most of every second today . As humans, our two main thoughts are of love or fear. Fear is surviving and Love is living. I try every second of everyday to Live my best life with love and respect for my self and those around me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Monday I love the beach, the mountains , the Desert and the city. So I would start with a day in Malibu relaxing on the beach taking in the sun and watching the sun set. We would have Dinner at my favorite place in Malibu Paradise Cove and enjoy an amazing dinner and sunset.

Tuesday I would take them hiking at Frymam Canyon to give them a view of all the Valley and some really beautiful houses and get a good work out. We would have a good lunch at Jinkys Studio cafe which is on the back gate of CBS Radford and I ran the nights there for over a decade so know all the regulars. For dinner we would go to Fire Fly and have an amazing dinner with there open concept next to the hills.

Wednesday we would head up to Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains where we would go swim at the lake water park. Bbq at the cabin and cuddle next to the fire enjoying home baked cookies and watching movies.

Thursday we would head down to Palm Springs, Indian Wells, palm desert area and relax at the pool take in the views and then head to dinner at the cliff house.

relax for a few days and recoup.

Sunday we would head back to the city stopping at our favorite dinner Paty’s in Toluca Lake and enjoy the the view of Universal Studios and might even go visit there if we had the energy for crowds.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Husband John Ballowe. He has been my co-producer and main team player in every project I have been a part of. My childhood, best friend, and manager Christina havis for all the love and support along this journey.

Instagram: @Jonathanpfairchild

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Youtube: Jonathan Fairchild

Image Credits
Christina Havis